Privacy Policy
Effective date:
FoodSafetyCircle.com ("FoodSafetyCircle," "we," "us," or "our") is a professional network built for the food safety and quality community. Our goal is to help members build a small, trusted circle of real connections, rather than a public feed of strangers. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have.
1. Information We Collect
We collect information you provide directly, along with limited information generated by your use of the service:
- Account information: your name, email address, and password. Passwords are handled by our authentication provider and are never stored by us in plain text.
- Profile information: anything you choose to add to your profile, such as a photo, bio, or professional background.
- Connection and network activity: the connections you request or confirm, and your position within the member network.
- Messages: content you send to confirmed connections through the messaging feature.
- Usage information: basic technical data such as browser type and general activity on the site, used to keep the service secure and working properly.
2. How We Use Information
- To create and maintain your account and profile.
- To operate connection requests, confirmations, and introductions between members.
- To deliver messages between confirmed connections.
- To maintain the security, integrity, and reliability of the network.
- To communicate with you about your account or material changes to the service.
3. How We Share Information
We do not sell your personal information. We share it only in the following circumstances:
- With other members, according to your own visibility and connection settings. Profile and connection details are generally visible only to your confirmed connections, not to the public.
- With service providers who help us operate the platform, such as our cloud hosting, authentication, and data storage provider (Google Cloud / Firebase), under obligations to protect your information.
- When required by law, or to protect the rights, safety, or property of FoodSafetyCircle, our members, or others.
4. Your Connections and Visibility
FoodSafetyCircle is built around confirmed, two-way relationships rather than open following. A connection only becomes active once both members confirm it. You control whether your confirmed connections are visible to the wider network or only to the members directly involved.
5. Data Retention
We retain your account and profile information for as long as your account remains active, or as needed to provide the service. If you request deletion of your account, we will remove or de-identify your personal information within a reasonable time, except where retention is required by law.
6. Your Rights and Choices
You may access, correct, or delete your account information, or ask questions about how your data is used, at any time by contacting us at the email address below. You may also opt out of any non-essential communications from us.
7. Children's Privacy
FoodSafetyCircle is intended for working professionals and is not directed to children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 16 years of age.
8. Security
We use reasonable technical and organizational safeguards, including encrypted data transmission and access controls, to protect your information. No online service can guarantee absolute security, and we encourage you to use a strong, unique password.
9. International Users
FoodSafetyCircle is operated from and hosted in the United States. If you access the service from outside the United States, your information will be transferred to and processed in the United States.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time as the service evolves. We will update the effective date above when changes are made, and material changes will be communicated to members.
11. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, contact us at privacy@foodsafetycircle.com.